THEO BLECKMANN AND JOHN HOLLENBECK DUO FRI., MAY 21 I FIRST ENCOUNTERED ...

AND JOHN HOLLENBECK DUO

FRI., MAY 21

I FIRST ENCOUNTERED Bleckmann's pure vocal style and perfect intonation during a performance of Phil Kline's Zippo Songs earlier this year, and was so impressed I've been keeping an eye out for another opportunity to hear him. On Friday, that chance finally rolls around when Bleckmann (voice/loops) and John Hollenbeck (percussion/drums) bring their duo project to Barbès-a rare chance to hear them live in the city.

"It's going to be another Theo and John adventure, I guess," says Bleckmann of the upcoming show. As per usual with music I like, the description doesn't get much more specific than that. Even the artists themselves shy away from slapping a concrete genre label on it. "It's kind of ambient-free improv with a cinematic quality-very visual. I think in that way it's very accessible. It's not some two-hour-long masturbation of somebody just playing on and on and on."

Both men have impressive road credits, including strong ties to Meredith Monk's ensemble. The duo is a happy outcome of that, born of their shared musical sensibilities and their touring connection. The history of collaboration allows them a certain measure of freedom on show night, since much of the preparation is already done. "We come with a full language that we can use or discard at any moment," explains Bleckmann.

Part of that language involves the trunkload of plastic toys Bleckmann uses to further extend his own vocal techniques. Though he jokes about scouring the 99-cent stores for the cheesiest bits of plastic, he's quick to caution that ultimately it's an esthetic choice, not a gimmick. "I feel that they're really integrated into the sound structure. Everything is permitted, so a toy can have the same beauty as a human voice or a drum."

It's just that kind of open thought process that makes Bleckmann such an intriguing artist. I have to admit that I skipped right over all the awards and accolades listed on his resume as soon as I noticed a film credit for developing a "space alien language."

"Yeah, I got a call to perform through some dialogue as if I was an alien. I had no idea what it was," Bleckmann recalls. "It sounded like a B- or even a cafe-movie, and I thought, 'What the heck is this Men in Black title about?'"

Barbès, 376 9th St. (6th Ave.), Park Slope, 718-965-9177, 9, free.